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Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess is an animated television movie that premiered on November 18, 2012 on Disney Junior in the United States. It is the pilot for the animated series Sofia the First that premiered on January 11, 2013.

Plot[]

Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather appear and introduce Sofia, an eight-year-old girl living in the Village of Dunwiddie in the Kingdom of Enchancia with her mother, Miranda who is a shoemaker. One day, Miranda and Sofia are called for a shoe fitting by King Roland II of Enchancia. It's love at first sight for Roland and Miranda. They soon marry, making Miranda the new Queen of Enchancia and Sofia the kingdom's second princess. Upon arriving at the castle, Sofia meets her new father, Baileywick the castle steward, Cedric the royal sorcerer, and her two new older siblings, Princess Amber and Prince James, the royal twins. Sofia is warmly welcomed by everyone at the castle, except Amber and Cedric. At the dinner table, Roland tells his new daughter that there will be a royal ball in honor of her royal debut, stating that it's the best way to let everyone know that Princess Sofia has arrived.

After Sofia sees her new room, she has second thoughts. She laments into a musical number about her insecurities, and her belief that she's not ready to be a princess because she knows to be royal has huge responsibilities. She knows she has no experience when it comes to fulfilling them. She finds her mother and tells her about her uneasy feelings and that she would rather not have a royal ball because she doesn't know how to dance and doesn't want to let anyone down. Miranda assures her she'll be fine. Roland comes out of the shadows and gives Sofia a beautiful necklace that he says is special and tells her she must promise to never take it off. Sofia happily accepts the gift and gives him her word to wear it always and never let it out of her sight. On the way back to bed, Sofia bumps into Cedric, who recognizes her new necklace.

Sofia the first throne a l

Sofia's first day at Royal Prep.

The next day, Sofia, James, and Amber take a flying coach to the Royal Preparatory Academy. There she meets the headmistresses: Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Sofia asks them to teach her how to be a true princess by the day of her royal debut ball. While giving her a tour of the school, they tell her that becoming a true princess is something that takes time. Everyone takes an instant shine to Sofia, making Amber jealous and prompting her to convince James to give Sofia a ride on the Enchanted Swing Set. James does so, which makes everyone's smiles vanish. The swing ride sends Sofia sailing through the air and then into a fountain with a splash. Despite really being upset, Sofia laughs it off and walks away soaking wet. Sofia stumbles across a baby bird who has fallen out of its nest and helps it return to its mother. Her interaction with the mother bird and her baby shows how lonely she feels now that she's a princess and misses the days when it was just her and her mother. Just then, Sofia's necklace begins to glow and she unexpectedly hears the birds saying "Thank you."

After returning home, Cedric intercepts Sofia and takes her to his workshop where he reveals to her that her necklace is the Amulet of Avalor, a powerful relic that can grant the wearer a blessing or a curse when the wearer does a great deed, for better or worse. He asks her to let him take a look at it but she refuses because she promised her father that she would never take it off and she was taught by her mother that when she makes a promise, she must keep it, no matter what.

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Sofia meets her new animal friends.

The next morning, Sofia meets Clover, Mia, Robin, and Whatnaught and discovers that she can understand what they're saying. Remembering what Cedric said about her amulet and helping that baby bird, she realizes the amulet has given her the power to talk to animals which Clover is delighted to hear. Clover reveals the reason woodland creatures have always helped princesses is because they want food and Sofia, who's happy to finally have new friends, obliges. Now confident, Sofia now dedicates herself to becoming the best princess ever both to fulfill her responsibilities as one and to prove herself to everyone. However, Sofia still remains distant from James and Amber because of the stunt they pulled and she no longer trusts anyone and feels that she's on her own. When she comes home the day before the royal ball, she finds her friends Ruby and Jade waiting for her. During the visit, James comes over to apologize for the trick he and Amber played on her and offers to make it up to her by helping her prepare for her ball, which she accepts. He also tells her about Professor Popov's dance class the next day, unaware that Amber is spying on them.

Sofia arrives at dance class, but before she can take some dance shoes, Amber comes by and hands her a special pair, saying they can help her dance better. Sofia steps forward to receive her dance lessons, but the shoes start making her dance oddly and out of control just a few minutes later. Sofia realizes the shoes are trick shoes because of the glow they are giving off and stops long enough to notice Amber nastily sneering at her. At this moment, Sofia realizes that Amber tricked her just before she's sent crashing to the ground. She gets back up and gives Amber a hateful glare that also helps James realize who gave Sofia those trick shoes. When the trio returns to the coach, Amber states that she must have grabbed them by mistake and sarcastically apologizes, but Sofia doesn't buy this and angrily ignores her because she knows Amber gave them to her on purpose to ruin her dance lesson.

When she gets back home, she asks Cedric for a dancing spell. He gives her a spell, but warns her not to cast it until the ball; as soon as she leaves, Cedric reveals the spell is actually a sleeping spell, and after it's cast, he plans to blackmail Sofia into handing over the amulet. Meanwhile before the ball, James angrily calls Amber out about the trick shoe incident, knowing that Amber deliberately gave Sofia those shoes to ruin Sofia's royal ball because she's jealous that everyone likes Sofia more than her. Then, after angrily telling Amber that he likes Sofia more than her after the prank she pulled on Sofia, he storms out of the room, leaving his twin guilty and upset. Amber tries to call him back, but her gown gets caught under one of the legs of her vanity chair and gets ripped. When she goes looking for the maids, she hears them in Sofia's room calling her "the prettiest princess in the palace," making her run back into her room in tears.

Cinderella-Sofia-the-first

Sofia meets Cinderella.

At the ball, Sofia arrives in her gown with extra lace ornaments and everyone is amazed by how beautiful she looks. She casts the spell Cedric gave her and, to her horror, everyone falls asleep, even Cedric. Thinking she must have said the spell wrong and that she's all alone, Sofia breaks down and cries. When a tear drops on the amulet, it begins to glow and Cinderella appears. She explains to Sofia that whenever she is in trouble, her amulet will summon a Princess like herself to help. Cinderella reveals that Amber is still awake and can help out, but Sofia tells Cinderella that she is still angry at Amber for all the terrible things she's done to her. However, through a song, Cinderella encourages Sofia to give her another chance, as Sofia may leave the castle someday. Sofia decides to take Cinderella's advice, although Cinderella vanishes before Sofia can thank her. Sofia goes to Amber and takes her to the ballroom.

After seeing what has happened, Amber apologizes to Sofia for her behavior and admits her jealousy. Sofia finally forgives her and the two of them reconcile and finally bond as true sisters. Together they infiltrate Cedric's workshop to figure out how to undo the sleeping spell and awaken everyone once again. But they end up running into Wormwood, Cedric's raven companion. After the woodland critters put Wormwood back in his cage and trick him into revealing where the counter spell book is, the group finds the counter spell, Sofia sews Amber's gown and Amber gives her a dance lesson.

Sofia casts the counter-spell, and the ball proceeds as if nothing has happened. Cedric is upset his plans were ruined and leaves in a huff as Sofia dances with her father, now calling him "Dad" instead of "Your Majesty" for the first time. The dance soon develops with the whole family dancing together, having finally become a true family.

Music[]

As with many classic Disney movies, music plays an important role in Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess and the Sofia the First series. The movie features five original songs ranging in musical styles from contemporary pop in songs like "Rise and Shine" and ballads like "Not Ready to Be a Princess" to those with more of a traditional classic Disney feature film/Broadway-style like "Royal Prep" performed by Fauna, Flora, Merryweather, and the students; "True Sisters" performed by Sofia and Cinderella; and "A Little Bit of Food", a fun, upbeat song performed by Clover and his fellow animals that uncovers the mystery of why woodland creatures have been hanging around princesses for years.

Songs[]

Home Video Release[]

Cast[]

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Reception[]

The special got the 5th most viewers for the week, with 5.151 million viewers in the United States, the highest for any Disney animated special since Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation! in 2009. It was #1 or #2 for several areas: Top cartoon, non-sports program, top 1-hour show, and top Disney show. It has the largest 2-5 crowd (1.5 million) since Atlantis SquarePantis from 2007. It was also Kids 6-11 (1.6 million/6.7 rating), and was the #2 scripted cable TV telecast in Total Viewers (5.151 million). Notably, the movie became the #1 cable TV telecast in 5 years in preschoolers 2-5 and in 10 years in Girls 2-5 (954,000/12.2 rating). On IMDB, the special has a 6.3 rating from 225 users. It also had 1.4 million adults watching it. The special's rival programs are 60 Minutes (CBS), Football Night in America (NBC), America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC), The Cleveland Show (FOX), and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBC & SRC, but in SRC's case it was followed by Et Dieu Créa A Laflaque at 7:30 PM).

Gallery[]

Wiki
The Disney Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess.

Trivia[]

  • This is the first Disney Junior pilot special since the Little Einsteins special Our Huge Adventure, released in 2005.
  • Jennifer Hale, the voice of Cinderella, did her own singing for the song "True Sisters" as Tami Tappan (who provided her singing voice in Cinderella III: A Twist in Time) was unable to make the recording.
  • Miranda becomes the Queen of Enchancia, King Roland's second wife, and the Royal Family's matriarch.
  • Sofia becomes Enchancia's second Princess and the Royal Family's youngest member.
  • This episode premiered to celebrate Mickey's 84th Birthday.
  • This is the first Sofia the First episode that features five songs, and also the only episode in the series to feature five songs until the series finale, "Forever Royal".
  • Sofia receives the Amulet of Avalor.
  • Cedric begins plotting to steal the Amulet of Avalor from Sofia and take over Enchancia.
  • This is the first time Amber gets jealous.
  • Sofia learns that her amulet is magical.
  • Sofia learns her amulet's rule.
  • This is the first time Sofia's amulet grants her a blessing.
  • Sofia gains the power to communicate with animals.
  • Sofia meets Clover, Robin, Mia, and Whatnaught, who become her animal friends.
  • Cinderella is the very first Princess summoned by the Amulet of Avalor.
  • Cinderella's coach can be seen at the end.
  • Flora and Merryweather fight about the color of King Roland's shoes is a nod to them fighting about Aurora's dress in Sleeping Beauty.
  • For unknown reasons, this is the only episode of Sofia the First that is unavailable for streaming on Disney+.
  • Moral: Everyone deserves a second chance.

Goofs[]

Once Upon a Princess imaginary wristwatch

Cedric's imaginary wristwatch.

  • When Sofia arrives at the Enchancia Castle and gets out of the carriage, she is dressed as a commoner, but shortly after she wears her new signature outfit as a princess.
  • When Sofia arrives at her first class at Royal Prep, Jade is sitting to the right of Princess Jun, in the back of the room.
  • When the princes pick up Sofia's books for her, her amulet is missing.
  • After trying to take Sofia's amulet for the first time, Cedric points to an imaginary wristwatch. None of the characters in the entire series has a wristwatch.

International Premieres[]


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Media
Sofia the First (Videography/Soundtrack/Songs From Enchancia) • Sofia the First: Once Upon a PrincessElena and the Secret of AvalorDisney Junior DJ ShuffleDisney Junior DJ Shuffle 2Books
Disney Parks
PLAY!
Characters
Princess SofiaQueen MirandaKing Roland IIPrince JamesPrincess AmberPrincess HildegardCedric the SorcererWormwoodBaileywickRobinMiaCloverWhatnaughtGoodwyn the GreatWinifred the WiseJadeRuby HanshawPrincess ClioPrince ZandarPrincess JunPrince HugoMinimusPrincess VivianCrackleKing Marcus and Queen CecilyTrollsLucindaPrince JinMagic CarpetJasperPrince KhalidMeg and PegMadam UbetchaPrince DesmondMiss NettleSir GilliumProfessor PopovHelen HanshawOonaQueen EmmalineCoraPlankAunt TillyWilbur the WombeastSvenEmperor QuonEmpress Lin-LinRexPrince AxelKing GarrickElectraVaughan and VanceMarlaSir BartlebySir MaxwellSir FinneganGwenChef AndreSofia the WorstLady JoyLord GilbertWu-ChangJade JaguarSir DaxBooPrincess LaniMamanuKamea and HaliaPralineFreedoPrincess ZooeyPrincess AstridSlickwellGreylock the GrandPrincess IvyDragons of EnchanciaWinterWhiskersGlacia the Ice WitchElliot, Amy, and KurtTizzyMaster ErwinBryce TwigleyButton, Benngee, and BrodyMossyCarol of the ArrowJanePrincess KariMiss ElodieFlukeSlimShellyFlipMantacornOnyx and OpalWendell FidgetMrs. FidgetSaffronMuck, Gunk, and GrimeSpruceBallerinaMazzimoPrince RoderickGavinKazeemSergeant FizzKing Habib and Queen FarnazChief GnucklesFlinchGrottaElfonsoElfredMilo the SnakeKing HenrikCordelia the ConjurorCalistaMorganaCrispyBarleySassofrasProfessor Zacharias FleeberGrand MumGemina and ArgusCount BarnstormSir OliverSir JaxonWillawingKaiPrincess CharlotteMorrisZinessaKing Philip and Queen EverlyLilyIndigoMarty and MapleGrimtrixWriggley, Pumpkin, and ChesterSkyePiccoloBaron Von RochaProfessor PecullianSea MonstersMalachite and FigOmarPrismaAzurineOrionVegaChrystaSizzleCinderSingeMare of the MistKing Roland IRomaGiggling GoblinCaptain QuiversTwitchVorNerissa

Elena of Avalor: Princess ElenaPrincess IsabelFranciscoLuisaShurikiAlacazarZuzoMateoMigs, Luna, and SkylarRafaChancellor EstebanArmandoKing Raul and Queen LuciaNaomi Turner
Guest Characters: Flora, Fauna, and MerryweatherCinderellaJasmineMagic CarpetBelleArielAuroraSnow WhiteMulanRapunzelTianaMeridaOlafMerlinArchimedes

Episodes
Season One: "Just One of the Princes" • "The Big Sleepover" • "Let the Good Times Troll" • "Cedric's Apprentice" • "A Royal Mess" • "The Shy Princess" • "Blue Ribbon Bunny" • "The Princess Test" • "Baileywick's Day Off" • "Tri-Kingdom Picnic" • "The Little Witch" • "Two to Tangu" • "Finding Clover" • "The Amulet of Avalor" • "The Buttercups" • "Make Way for Miss Nettle" • "The Amulet and the Anthem " • "Tea for Too Many" • "Princess Butterfly" • "Great Aunt-Venture" • "The Baker King" • "The Floating Palace" • "Holiday in Enchancia" • "Four's a Crowd"

Season Two: "Two Princesses and a Baby" • "The Enchanted Feast" • "The Flying Crown" • "Mom's the Word" • "The Silent Knight" • "Enchanted Science Fair" • "King for a Day" • "When You Wish Upon a Well" • "Gizmo Gwen" • "Sofia the Second" • "Mystic Meadows" • "Princesses to the Rescue!" • "Ghostly Gala" • "The Emerald Key" • "Scrambled Pets" • "The Princess Stays in the Picture" • "Baileywhoops" • "The Curse of Princess Ivy" • "Winter's Gift" • "The Leafsong Festival" • "Substitute Cedric" • "Clover Time" • "In a Tizzy" • "A Tale of Two Teams" • "The Littlest Princess" • "Buttercup Amber" • "Carol of the Arrow" • "Sidekick Clio"
Season Three: "Cool Hand Fluke" • "Minimus is Missing" • "Cedric Be Good" • "Princess Adventure Club" • "Minding the Manor" • "The Secret Library" • "New Genie on the Block" • "The Fliegel Has Landed" • "The Princess Ballet" • "All the Sprite Moves" • "Sofia in Elvenmoor" • "Stormy Lani" • "Lord of the Rink" • "The Secret Library: Olaf and the Tale of Miss Nettle" • "Gone with the Wand" • "Bad Little Dragon" • "Bunny Swap" • "Her Royal Spyness" • "Best in Air Show" • "Dads and Daughters Day" • "The Tale of the Noble Knight" • "The Bamboo Kite" • "Beauty is the Beast" • "Cauldronation Day" • "Camp Wilderwood" • "Royal Vacation" • "Hexley Hall" • "The Princess Prodigy" • "One for the Books"
Season Four: "Day of the Sorcerers" • "The Secret Library: Tale of the Eternal Torch" • "The Crown of Blossoms" • "Pin the Blame on the Genie" • "The Mystic Isles" • "The Mystic Isles: The Princess and the Protector" • "The Royal Dragon" • "The Mystic Isles: The Mare of the Mist" • "Through the Looking Back Glass" • "Princess Jade" • "Ivy's True Colors" • "Too Cute to Spook" • "Pirated Away" • "The Mystic Isles: The Falcon's Eye" • "The Mystic Isles: The Great Pretender" • "The Mystic Isles: A Very Mystic Wassalia" • "The Birthday Wish" • "In Cedric We Trust" • "The Mystic Isles: A Hero for the Hoodwinks" • "The Mystic Isles: Undercover Fairies" • "A Royal Wedding" • "The Royal School Fair" • "The Lost Pyramid" • "Return to Merroway Cove" • "The Elf Situation" • "Forever Royal"

Songs
Theme Song

Once Upon a Princess: I'm Not Ready to Be a PrincessRoyal PrepA Little Bit of FoodTrue SistersRise and Shine
Season One: Princess ThingsAnythingPerfect Slumber PartyMake Some NoiseCedric the GreatGoldenwing CircusAll You NeedBlue Ribbon BunnyI Belong(You Can Always) Count On BaileywickPicnic of the YearGood Little WitchThe Ride of Your LivesBring My Best Friend BackI'll Get My/That AmuletThe ButtercupsMake Way for Miss NettleEnchancia AnthemMake It RightBigger Is BetterWho's That?A Recipe for AdventureThe Simple LifeMerroway CoveThe Love We ShareWassaliaPeace and JoyRoyal Fun
Season Two: Sisters and BrothersTwo by TwoAll You DesireHuzzah! Huzzah!Me and My MomTilly, Oh TillyFriendship Is The FormulaBe Your Own KingMake Your Wishes WellBelieve in Your DreamKeeping Promises No Matter WhatMystic MeadowsStronger Than You KnowGhostly GalaA Princess TrueIn Your PawsKnow It AllHelping HandA Kingdom of My OwnSmoke, Wings and FireDare to Risk it AllFrom the HeartI Feel So FreeNever Forget the Sorcerer's SecretHoppin' Out With YouMake Our Dreams Come TruePlay With UsIt's a Small New WorldImproviseAny Deed For Those In NeedMy First FlightWings of a Dream
Season Three: Moment to ShineWendell's WayA Better MeWhen It Comes To Making FriendsIt's Up To YouDo I DareGenie RulesThis Fliegel Has LandedGotta Reach a Higher HeightI Like You So MuchElvenmoorHappy ThoughtsTake A LeapMy Finest FlowerMagic Like MerlinYou're the Cutest ThingLiving It UpBe an Expert ExpertI'm A New Horse NowDads and Daughters SongA Knight Such As IThis Panda Just Wants to DanceMore to AdoreThe Broomstick DanceThe Summer Camp BluesWhat A VacationThe Great UnknownThe Spirit of AvalorMy TimeOur Wizards Are the BestThe Magic in the MusicLive It to Learn It
Season Four: My Evil DreamsThis Island Belongs To UsThe Right Wrong Thing To DoGive The Kid One More ChanceThe Magic of the Mystic IslesOur Royal PlanMy Power Will Be Crystal ClearThat's Not Who I AmTough EnoughAll Fired UpPick MeMagic TouchThe Dunwiddie DittyThis Feeling I'm Feeling In MeSuper Spooky NightNever Lost AgainListen UpLearn This RhymeThat's What Wassalia's ForGonna Be GreatI Am On Your SideThe Boldest, Bravest Bunny of All TimeThe Fairy WayMeant To BeWhat You're Gonna DoCome To Your Senses With MeWhen I Start to Make Some WavesYou've Gotta Have FunA Big DayGet WickedFor One and AllOn Your/My Own

Locations
EnchanciaRoyal Preparatory AcademyTanguMerroway CoveWei-LingMystic MeadowsWildwing ValleySecret LibraryElvenmoorHakaloFreezenburgEnchanted Animal ParkAvalorDragon HoldMaruHexley HallMisty PalisadesMystic IslesEverRealm
Objects
Amulet of AvalorAunt Tilly's Carpet BagEnchanted MirrorFloating PalaceMermaid Comb of Merroway CoveEnchanted Swing SetWishing WellEmerald KeyPin of KlutzenheimerFlying CrownFamily WandDazzleballSnowdropsDragonclaw WandKazeem's LampBehind the WallsShuriki's WandEternal TorchForever FountainCrown of the GnomesEnchantletLooking Back GlassWicked Nine
See Also
Elena of AvalorButtercupsSpells and MagicJaquinsMerpeopleChanulHoodwinks
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